Facebook Finally Changed This Potentially Dangerous Policy

Facebook is finally changing its "real name" policy after more than 70 human rights organizations signed an open letter begging them to change it, calling it calling it "culturally biased" and "technically flawed," Think Progress reports.

Yes, users still have to register their real names but they can now also defend themselves and give a reason for their using alternative names if their account is flagged as fraudulent.

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The open letter, backed by various human rights organizations, fought for a person's right to confirm their identity on Facebook without a government ID, as many people who go by a different name than what is on their ID could then be exposed to "abusive former partners, politically-motivated attacks, and threats of offline violence" by having their real name identified. It was also an issue for transgender individuals who may have adopted new names that aren't the same ones on their IDs.

Facebook said via an open letter that it would begin testing on this feature by December. Better late than never.